March 17, 2013
The Extra Nine is a weekly Mizzou baseball blog by MUTigers.com correspondent Brandon Weiss
In its first series in SEC conference play, Mizzou did more than hold its own against one of the national baseball powers. With No. 5 South Carolina coming to town, the Tigers had a chance to prove that they could compete in the country's top baseball conference. Even with a 1-2 record after the weekend's slate, Mizzou showed that it can stand up against any team in the country.
1 - Measuring Up
The Tigers may have dropped two of three games in the weekend set against the Gamecocks, but the numbers prove that Mizzou has what it takes to hold its own in the rugged SEC. Through the three weekend games, the Tigers surrendered only three earned runs to the defending SEC East champions. The series score was 6-5 in favor of the visiting Gamecocks, but Mizzou outhit South Carolina by a 23-19 margin. If the opening weekend of conference play was a measuring stick, the Tigers showed they can go toe-to-toe with the Southeastern heavyweights.
2 - Zastryzny Shines Again
For the second consecutive start, Friday night pitcher Rob Zastryzny racked up 10 strikeouts on the mound. Through his seven innings of action, Zastryzny allowed only two earned runs while opening conference play. He allowed only seven hits and two free passes in his appearance before being relieved by Jake Walsh in the eighth inning.
3 - Graves Goes the Distance
In his first collegiate complete game, Brett Graves threw 107 pitches and held the Gamecocks at bay for the final four innings of a 2-0 loss. Graves gave up only one earned run in his first nine innings of conference play, fanning four batters and surrendering seven hits.
4 - Steele Tough to Top
Keaton Steele got his first win as a pitcher for the Tigers, closing out South Carolina in the series finale by pitching six scoreless frames in Mizzou's 4-0 victory. Steele held the Gamecocks to only three hits over his six innings, striking out seven batters and never letting a runner reach third base. Steele stayed strong throughout the game, striking out two batters in the final inning.
5 - Fans Set Record
On a night in which seven SEC games drew a total of more than 35,000 fans, Mizzou did its part by setting a regular-season record for attendance with 3,145 fans in attendance for the Tigers' SEC debut. Fans witnessed Zastryzny's gem in an exciting opening game that featured pregame fireworks and a t-shirt giveaway. The previous record was set on May 17, 2008, when the Tigers knocked off Nebraska 22-9.
6 - Disarming Gamecocks' Top Guns
The Tiger pitchers did an excellent job this weekend, shutting down a dangerous South Carolina lineup to hold the Gamecocks to a .183 batting average. Specifically, Mizzou did a great job against the Gamecocks' Joey Pankake and LB Dantzler, who entered the series batting .373 and .429, respectively, combining for 10 home runs and 39 RBI on the year. Over the weekend series, Pankake was held to just 2-for-12 with one RBI, and Dantzler was held to 1-for-13 at the plate, including going hitless in his final 11 at bats.
7 - Offensive Output
Dylan Kelly maintained his torrid pace at the plate for the Tigers, leaving the weekend with a .400 batting average on the year after a 4-for-12 weekend that featured two extra base hits and a RBI. Mizzou was balanced throughout the lineup on the weekend, with Kelly, Logan Pearson, Kendall Keeton and Shane Segovia all accounting for one RBI against the Gamecocks. Dillon Everett lead all Mizzou batters with a .444 average over the three-game set by going 4-for-9 at the plate, hitting 2-for-3 in each Saturday game.
8 - Injury Report
For the first time this season, the Tigers have a clean bill of health after a weekend series.
9 - What's Next
Mizzou looks to keep its midweek success going against Arkansas State on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Knoxville, Tenn. for a weekend slate against the Volunteers in another conference series.